A quantitative evaluation of the glomerular capillary endothelium in rat and human kidneys: Utilization of vascular perfusion,freeze-cracking of tissue,and scanning electron microscopy

Modern morphological investigation requires the use of a variety of technological approaches and the employment of rigorous morphometric analysis for an adequate evaluation of the structural and ultrastructural features of a tissue or organ. The introduction of the technique of freeze-cracking of tissue to expose new surfaces has made it possible to quantitate the normal surface characteristics of the glomerular capillaries of the mammalian kidney. This report describes the techniques used for the preparation and quantitative assessment of normal glomerular endothelial morphology. The techniques of in vivo and in vitro vascular perfusion of kidneys as a method of fixation and the freeze-cracking of tissue are outlined in detail. In addition, a morphometric analysis of the endothelial surface characteristics are described and values are reported for the control rat and human kidneys from transplant donors.